Engine cleaning and conditioning



1944- J. a VALLERIE 2,366,073

ENGINE CLEANING AND QONDITIONIFNG v 1 119 1 March 13, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 m'ronngv Us lkvmrdn JOHN LJ/ALLER/E Patented Dec. 26, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 18 Claims.

This invention relates to the cleaning andconditioning of engines, particularly internal combustion engines and associated parts, and especrlally to improvements in methods and apparatus .for use in such cleaning and conditioning.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method by which foreign material such as the products of oil and/or gasoline decomposition and sludge may be more effectiveprotect the same against being plugged or packed with foreign material at the time this material is being cleaned from other engine-parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for cleaning foreign material from the jets, venturi, orifices, and other internal openings or passages in a gasoline carburetor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method for effectively cleaning, many related and associated parts of an internal combustion engine and to provide a particularly effective yet simple and easily transportable apparatus for carrying out this method, adapted for ready association and connection with standard parts of the engine and without dismantling the engine.

Features and advantages of the invention resulting from an attainment of the foregoing and other objects, include the provision of a method which takes advantage of the maximum clearmoval of foreign material loosened and dislodged by the solvent, which not only is efiective in cleaning the combustion chamber and valves, but is also efiective in cleaning and freeing piston rings, grooves and other parts of the engine, and which supplements the blow-out of the exhaust strokes the regular pressure oil-distributing system of the engine, which, suction action also tends to maintain the all lines of the system and other passages free of accumulated foreign material which might be initially present therein or which might become lodged therein during the solvent treatment.

A related feature of the invention resides in the injection of a cleaning solvent in vapor form and under outside pressure into the working space in the cylinders above the pistons, as through the intake manifold, of a cold ensinewhile the latter is being turned over by an outside source of power. Another feature of the invention resides in the application of suction to the pressure oil-distributing system of theengine while injecting solvent in vapor form into the intake manifold as above set forth.

Another feature of, the invention resides in the solvent cleaning of oil pressure lines as well as other related parts of the engine, as a part of n the entire method for the cleaning and conditicn ing of an engine.

.Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a method which includes not only positive steps for effectively loosening and dislodging foreign material, but also for efiectlvely voiding this material from the engine, particuof where it would likely become packed or adversely caught and thus seriously and adversely affect the future efllciency, life and operation of the engine.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a methodwhich includes not only steps by which the engine may be effectively cleaned, but also a step by which engine parts are conditioned and protected of a plating oil. Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus particularly adapted to be 'used in carrying on the entire method embodying th present invention as well as various related and component parts of that method.

Other objects, features and advantages will hereinafter appear. a

In the drawings:

the side of a conventional internal combustion engine and illustrating the apparatus of the present invention associated therewith in a manner for carrying out cert n method steps of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a conventional internal combustion engine and shows the apparatus of the present invention and the manner of its assoclation with the engine to carry out 66 certain method steps of the invention.

larly small openings, passages and grooves thereby the application Figure .1 is a view showing in general outline Fig. 3 is a view partially in section showing the compressor unit of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is'a view showing the vaporizing and dispensing unit of the apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-6 of Fig. '7.

Fig. '7 is a view showing the suction trap unit of the apparatus.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view showing a connection between the apparatus and the intake manifold; v

Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the engine crankcase in section and illustrating the association be understood that the invention is not limited /;;o

to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in 'the accompanying drawings, which are merely illustrative of the present preferred embodiments since the invention is capable of other embodiments. and the phraseology employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in outline in Fig. 1 and diagram- 'matica1ly in Fig. 2, for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, an internal combustion engine 20 of the well-known four-cycle type including, as is conventional, a cylinder 2| in which a reciprocable piston 22 is located and is connected through a connecting rod 23 tothe crank shaft 24. In the normal operation of such an engine and, as is well understood gasoline is drawn from a carburetor 25 through an intake manifold 26 and thence at the proper time through an intake valve 21 and into the engine cylinder above the piston where work is done on the piston prior to the exhausting of the prodnets of combustion through an'exhaust valve 28. As is usual the intake manifold may be pro'- vided with asuitable opening adapted .to be connected with some part drawing on the vacuum of the engine and normally closed 'by a plug when the connection is not made.

I As diagrammatically illustrated, the engine is of a usual type in which pressure lubrication is provided for many of the movably associated parts through a pressure oil-distributing system 29 including an oil gallery 30" from whichoil lines lead to divers operating parts. such as an oil line 3! to the crank shaft 24, and other oil lines 32;

33, 34 and 35 to the cam shaft, filter, timing chain, and oil-pressure gauge. not shown, and to which an oil line 35 leads from a suitable oil pump 31 which draws oil from a crankcase 38.

Conventionally, oil directed to the crank shaft is conducted through suitable and usual passages to divers crank shaft bearings, and may also be conducted through other passages up through the connecting rodstothesvnistpins. Atthe wrist phant m and; other hearings to wh ch like sludge deposits, the oil pump strainer is usually clogged with the same material, and often the passages lead small openings or channels normally are provided from which the oil escapes and eventually returns to the crankcase.

It is for operation on an engine of the pressure lubricated type that the method and apparatus of the present invention are particularly adapted, but this method and apparatus also may be advantageously used in connection with engines relying essentially on simple splash lubrication.

In the normal running of any internal com bustion engine sludge is formed which, if not removed, has an adverse eifect on the operation thereof. This adverse effect of sludge ranges from a slight lossof power to a point wher the motor cannot operate at all, and fromv slightly more than normal oil and gasoline-consumption to a point where such consumption is so great that further operation of the engine is economically'untenable.

This sludge may be of the type comprising an emulsion of oil and water, which is a soft puttylike material resulting from condensation of water from the combustion products which escape the combustion chamber to the crankcase, or from a condensation of water vapor as it comes in contact with cold cylinder and crankcase walls,

or from condensation of water from the air used for crankcase ventilation, or from any combination of these causes. l

Also, this sludge may be pi the type comprising oxidation products such as carbon, varnish. and tar which are. formed through the tendency of petroleum products to decompose or crack when exposed to high temperature, and also to impurities, such as road dust, which enter the motor through ineflicient intake air filtration and form deposits with the above-mentioned products.

It is and has been recognized that an internal combustion engine in its normal operation, under conditions other than those which are very carefully controlled in a laboratory, will become subject to both types of sludge. Emulsion sludge is peculiar to too low a temperature and oxidation sludge to too high a temperature. Variations in weather, load and speed as well as the necessity for starting and stopping the engine result in both types of deposits in any engine, and no amount of variable temperature control c'omwater, some of which will eventually mix with the lubricating oil. Blow-by," which is a term describing the byproducts of combustion which leak past the piston rings, is found in any engine. Combustion pressures of a gasoline engine reach as much as 450 pounds per square inch, so that even in a new engine 1% to 3% of thetotal air taken through the carburetor escapes past the piston rings.

In a badly sludged motor, the greater part of the crankcase surfaces are covered .with puttythe oil pressure lines are partially closed. In addition, the valve mechanism which projects into i the valve chamber iscompletelsraoecred with this emulsion and; a Tues as thes "ie is entire valve covers. 'rhichdepositaofmthnshidgein theshapeofcarbonwmbefoundonthecylinder aseaovs 3 heads, the piston heads, around the valve seats,

and about the lip of the cylinders. If the pistons found tightly stuck in the grooves. 'This is D ticularly common to the top compression ring. The grooves themselves will be coated on all sides with a tarry substance, as will also the rings. If the oil ring is of the slotted type, these slots will frequently be found nearly filled with sludge. In addition, the walls of the piston and cylinder walls and the sides of the connecting rods are badly discolored with a hard, brittle material known as engine varnish.

If sludge impedes the seating of either exhaust or intake valves, the engine will not run well and very frequently results in valve burning. If fresh oil is added to an already oxidized oil in the crankcase, certain resins which are soluble in the oxidized oil will frequently curdle and form coffee grounds" which are of a large enough size to plug the oil passages.

The most readily apparent adverse effect of sludge, however. and that' which causes the earliest detriment to power and economy, is the impedance of proper piston ring action. The most common reaction in the rings is for sludge in the top compression ring groove to seal the ring tightly in the groove, thus impeding its natural expansion and allowing blow-by from the compression chamber to "the 'next ring, which is frequently an oil wiper ring. The great heat on the oil causes additional oxidation, sticking of the wiper ring, and so on down untid the oil con pumped past the rings for burning. With the compression loss much power is sacrificed and fuel economy rapidly diminishes. The cycle is a vicious one.

Recognizing the desirability of removing sludge and other foreign material from motors, many prior proposals have been advanced. For example, it has been proposed to completely takedown and clean a motor. However, such a procedure entails such a considerable amount of time with attendant loss of productive use of the motor that it i very costly not only from the standpoint of labor involved, but also from the standpoint of the motor being held idle. importance of these cost factors are readily apparent when it is borne in mind that these adverse conditions sometimes become acute within the first five thousand miles of motor vehicle operation, especially in the case of trucks engaged in severe service.

, Frequent oil changes help, but are expensive and do not prevent and only delay the creations of the adverse conditions mentioned. Also, crankcase flushing will serve to ,remove crankcase sludge and in some cases be of some helpin cleaning oil lines. Additionally, the sucking-into the intake manifold of certain carbon solvents while the engine is running hot under its own power is of assistance in loosening sludge formed on valves, in the combustion chamber and on the tops of the pistons. None of these prior prac-' The , are removed, the piston rings will frequently be 7,

motor. however, are wholly effective and none of them provide treatment to efiectively prevent piston ring blow-by or to safeguard the divers oil lines and passages against becoming clogged during the cleaning treatment.

With "the present invention a very effective engine cleaning treatment is provided, overs. coming shortcomings of prior proposals'and serving not only to eifectively'loosen and. dis lodge foreign material, but also to 'eifectively important 'ways which will hereinafter be pointed out in detail.

The method embodying the present invention, to obtain the optimum and desired results, is performed on a cold motor as distin guished from a hot motor. vBecause of this important fact relatively substantial clearances are insured for the passage of cleaning solvent and of foreign material being voided. For example, it is common practice to allow 00075 clearance per inch of piston diameter for grey iron .piston skirts. A 4" piston on this scale would require .003" clearance. Many authorities recommend a clearance of .001" .per inch of piston diameter on pistons of motors subject toabusive treatment. Thus a 4" piston in a truck motor would have a piston skirt clearance-of .004", with an additional .001 added if the motor is ,constantly subjected to high speeds. Upper piston lands are allowed additional clearance. It is customary to :allow .0035"'per' inch for the top land, .003" per inch for 'the second land, and .002? per inch of diameter for the third land. Clearances such as the above are negligible when a motor is but moderately heated, and much of the eflectiveness of this invention is spent if heat is present. In carrying out the present invention and starting with a cold motor, the crankcase of which has been drained of oil, a suitable clean- 1 ing solvent is used which preferably should be of a type not harmful to any combination of metals employed in motor manufacture, that is effective without heating, is readily vaporized or outside pressure and in vapor form into the working space'above the pistons, as through the intake manifold, of the subject engine while the latter is being turned over in a cold conditices apart from the complete taking-down of the '7 tion by an outside source of power. The selfstarter, with which all usual internal combustion engines now in general use are provided, oifers such a convenient source of outside power. However, it will be appreciated that other sources of outside power may utilized. It is important that if the-self-starter is used as the .thereby is forced past the piston rings.

Simultaneously with the injection of the cleaning vapor, suction is applied to the pressure oil-distributing system 28, as by a suitable connection to the oil gallery 30, either directly through a fitting placed in an opening therein or indirectry as through a connection with the usual oil pressure gauge line 35, to subject the oil gallery and all oil lines and passages communicating therewith to the suction or vacuum action and to complement the pressure in the engine cylinder, or cylinders, in obtaining maximum cleaning action by the vaporized solvent.

Advantageously, prior to turning over the cold motor and immediately prior to injecting the vaporized cleaning material, air under pressure is forced into the intake manifold to build up an initial pressure therein. 'While preferred, however, this initial step of applying pressure tothe intake manifold is not essential to a satisfactory operation of the method.

As the cold motor is turned over, with the vaporized cleaning material under pressure being injected into the intake manifold, the intake valve of each cylinder opens in proper sequence, permitting the vaporized solvent to pass der closes and the piston moves in the compression stroke of its cycle, the solvent material is compressed and forced by. this action of the motor the length of the cylinder. During this compression of the solvent vapor in the cylinder, a certain amount is forced into the structure of oxidation deposits on the piston and cylinder heads. Moreover, since the subject motor is cold, it has been possible to take advantage -of the normal clearances allowed for the heat expansion of engine parts. Hence, some of the solvent and the material loosened Also there may be relative vertical movement between the piston and the rings, forcing the solvent into the deposits of foreign material-in'the ring grooves and onto the surfaces of these grooves.

As the piston moves in what under normal operating conditions of the engine would be its power stroke, both the intake and exhaust valves remain closed, and some of the solvent material which has been forced along the cylinder walls during the compression stroke will be sucked back around the piston and into the ,compression chamber by the reverse suction created by the enlargement of the volume ahead of the piston as the latter moves in the power stroke. This further aids the ring and ring groove cleaning.

During the exhaust stroke a considerable amount of the cleaning solvent and dislodged foreign ,material is voided through the exhaust valve port and the exhaust manifold. Also, dur-.

.ing the compression stroke, in particular, much of the foreign material and solvent'is carried into the crankcase by passing the piston and pistonrings. Thislatterresultwillbereadily apparentwhenitisborneinmindthatina4- outside power source, the ignition not be turned inch bore motor, for example. there will be an allowance of approximately .021 inch at each' piston ring gap, which further permits the solvent to progress the full length of the cylinder.

In addition, due to the rapid oscillation of the pistons as the engine is turned over in a cold condition by the outside source of power, and to the loosening or softening of the foreign material on the rings and in the ring grooves. the rings are loosened in the grooves enabling the solvent to gain access to further clean the rings,,grooves and oil slots and passages associated therewith.

Moreover, as solvent vapor passes the piston and piston rings some will be sucked into usual oil passages which, as before explained, are in communication with the pressure oil-distributing system, and hence are subjected to the drawing action of the outside source of suction. This suction thus aids in obtaining a maximum cleanin action from the solvent and, of special importance, acts to draw ofi foreign material loosen'ed thereby and acts .to safeguard the oil passages and particularly the many tiny openings associated therewith by serving to keep them free or substantially free of foreign material dislodged from other engine parts, as for example the piston rings and ring grooves, during the forced vaporized solvent cleaning action to which they are being subjected.

Following the foregoing steps of simultaneously injecting solvent vapor into the intake manifold while applying suction to the pressure oil-distributing system, the turning-over of the motor may be discontinued and an increased suction applied to the pressure oil-distributing system for a short time. In tests made, an application of this increased suction for about a d0 passages and serves to pick up any hard sludge deposits which may have entered therein as a result of the solvent action and which might not have been removed during the suction action applied during the forced injection of the solvent through the intake manifold. Also, sludge deposits in small reservoirsconnected to the oil lines are drained and cleaned out in this manner.

The steps of solvent injection and then increased application of suction, described above, may be and preferably are repeated several times.

Concurrently with the forcing of vapor solvent lnto the intake manifold to clean the respective engine cylinders and associated parts as explained above, it is contemplated that the passages of the carburetor, which carburetor constitutes a combustible charge preparing and feeding means, be cleaned of foreign material which might otherwise impede the'satisfactory operation of this important part of the motor. Thus, the throttle valve may be opened for a part of the time, allowing a portion of the vapor solvent to be forced through carburetor passages in a direction opposed to the usual flow of gasoline and air. Also, carburetor leaks, as by gaskets, may be detected, particularly if the usual butterfly choke valve is closed for a portion of the time that the solvent is being forced into the carburetor, and action taken to eliminate these.

fore. During this solvent injection step, as during the step of injecting solvent into the intake factory for this purpose.

manifold, the motor is turned over in a cold condition by an'outside power source. If the motor is of the type in which full pressure lubrication is provided to thewrist pin, some of the solvent vapor will be forced to that point and sprayed out to act on the engine parts, in that area. Other portions of the solvent will spray and seep out of openings in the oil passages leading up to the wrist pin and, together with the spray from the wrist pin area, create a penetrating solvent vapor fog. I Ifthe motor is of the type in which full pressure lubrication is provided only to the crankpin, the general result is much the same, and in both cases the passages and oil lines of the pressure oil-distributing system, and the bearing surfaces, are effectively cleaned by solvent vapor.

Upon completion of the solvent cleaning steps above described, it has been found advantageous to apply suction to the top of the respective engine cylinders, as through the usually tapped holes for the spark plugs, while the piston in the cylinder to which suction is being applied is stopped during its compression stroke. In carrying out the foregoing operation the engine is turned over, as by a hand crank, to bring a given "piston to a position in its compression stroke, the

turning over is discontinued and the suction applied. A like operation is carried out in connection with each of the cylinders. The suction thus applied serves to lift the piston rings and thus permit the various ring expanders, which frequently become improperly seated due to sludge, grit and other foreign material prior to the solvent cleaning steps, to reseat themselves properly.

Next, air under pressure is blown into the intake manifold while the engine is being turned over slowly, again by means of an outside source of power. A hand crank has been found satis- The air blast serves as an air wash to remove all but a negligible amount of solvent from the cylinders and forces remaining foreign material to' the crankcase. Some material and air will, of course, be voided through the exhaust.

Following the air wash described above, a suitable plating oil in vaporized form is blown in the intake manifold whilethe engine is being turned over by an outside source of power, and at the same time a connection is made to the pressure oil-distributing system and an outside source of suction applied thereto. Vaporized plating oil then is blowninto the pressure oildistributing system while the motor is being turned over by an outside power source. These two oil plating operations together, which are seen tobe similar to the solvent vapor operations, serve very effectively to lubricate friction surfaces by placing a film of oil thereon. The

plating oil, it will be appreciated, should be ofsuch a character that it is susceptible of being vaporized or atomized and thus provide an oil iacent the end of a tube 39, see Fig. 9, inserted through the usual dip stick opening to the crankcase.

In tests made, an agitation of the flushing material for aboutfive minutes has produced good results in the loosening of the sludge initially in the crankcase and in further dissolving the sludge deposits forced from the cylinders during the previous solvent treatment.

The crankcase is then drained of the flushing material and accumulated sludge, preferably while the agitation by air is continued, leaving thecrankcase and oil strainer clean. The crankcase is then refilled with any suitable lubricating oil.

With the completion of the foregoing step, the motor is ready for use.

Intimately related to the method above described for cleaning and conditioning internal combustion engines, is an apparatus particularly constructed and adapted to be associated with an internal combustion engine for the cara compressor unit 4| having a pressure head 42 vapor fog which sticks to the surfaces that have been blown dry or substantially dry'by the air blast above described.

When the oil plating operations have been completed, the drain plug is replaced in the crankcase and thelatter thoroughly flushed. 'In connection with the crankcase flushing step it has been found particularly advantageous to pour a suitable crankcase flushing material into the crankcase up to the recommended oil level and then agitate the flushing material in the crankcase-by blowing air out through perforations adand a suction or vacuum head 43, respectively connected to a vaporizing and dispensing unit 44, as by a hose 45,- and to a suction or vacuum trap unit 46, as by a hose 41. Advantageously, a distributing hose 48 is connected to the vaporizing and dispensing unit at one end and is provided with a suitable fitting 49 at the other end, see Fig. 8, adapted to be associated with the engine part to which the pressure head 42 of the compressor unit is to be connected. A suction hose 50, similar to the distributing hose 48, is connected at one end to the trap unit 46 and at the other end is provided with suitable fitting, for

example similar to the fitting, adapted to be screwed into or otherwise associated with the engine part to which the suction head of the compressor unit is to be connected.

Tne compressor unit 4|, as illustrated; is in general construction similar to units now readily available on the market for use in connection with apparatus for spraying paint and other material, and includes a cylinder 5| in which a piston, not shown, is reciprocated through usual and well-known connections with a drive shaft 52 rotatable as by an electric motor 53 Also, as

is usual a" cap 54- is suitably secured to the top of the cylinder, having a bottom wall 55 with an intake opening 54 and an outlet opening 51 therein, which openings are respectively controlled by conventional and suitable spring pressed valves respectively adapted to permit air being drawn into and forced out of the cylinder as the piston moves {down and then up therein. As is likewise conventional, the outlet opening 51 is connected in the well-known manner through a connecting pipe 58 to a pressure chamber constituted by thepressure head 42 of the compressor unit. A suitable fitting 59 is provided in the pressure head for connection to the hose 45 leading to the vaporizing or atomizing unit 44 which, as shown,-may be of the same trap unit 46. control valve unit 61 is fitted in the closure disk paratus for spraying paint and other material. A pressure release or safety valve 60 of any wellknown and suitable construction also preferably is connected to th pressure head.

Of importance,-however, the cap 54 of the cylinder, which has an upwardly extending side wall formation 6| to provide a chamber 62 above the bottom wall 55 and in communication with to most eilectively seal the closure disk 63 relative to the cap.

Also of importance, there is fitted into a suitable opening in the closure disk 63, a fitting $6, similar to the fitting associated with the pressure head, for connecting the hose 41 to the And, advantageously, a suction to, like the fitting 56, communicate with the chamber 52 of the suction head. The control valve unit may be of the well-known type in which an apertured cross plug may be turned by a usual turning head 63 to close, partially close, or open the valve passage.

The vaporizing and dispensing unit 44, as illustrated most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, and as indicated above, may be of the type conventionally used in spraying paint or other material. It includes a container 69, which may be of metal, on the top of which is screwed a cap l6 carrying the control and vaporizing elements of the unit.

'- container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof from a passage IS in the body communicating with abore 11 in the portion 13 is a, tube 18. Thus as pressure is built up in; the container by air forced therein through the passage 15, material in the container is forced up through the tube I8 and into the bore 11 from which it'is expelled through a nozzle I9 fitted. into the delivery end of the bore.

As is usual a needle valve 80 conveniently manipulatable, as by a trigger 8|, is provided for controlling-the discharge of material through the nozzle. Atomization or vaporization of the material discharged through the nozzle is effected by air directed through a second passage 82 communicating with the interior of the second portion I4 and extending to a point adjacent the nozzle 19 where a restricting cap 83 fitted to the end of the hose 48, see Fig. 12, and held firmlyagainst the face of an attaching flange 84 on the forward end of the body portion 13 by a suitable attaching col1ar85, serves to intimate- 1y .associatethe air and discharged liquid material and thus break up and vaporize or atomize the latter before it enters the hose ,48.

The efiectiveness of the vapor fog has been air under pressure and the liquid discharged from the nozzle. At the outlet end thereoi, the canlike member is provided'with-another centrally disposed connecting portion 90 adapted through a suitable "fitting 9| to be connected-to the hose 48.

The suction trap unit 4%, as shown most clearly in Figs. 6, 7, and 11, is in general construction similar to that of the vaporizing and dispensing unit 44 above described, including as that unit a container 92 on the top of which is a cap 93 having superposed thereon a body 96 of integral construction made up of an upstanding central cylindrical portion 95 topped by horizontally disposed portions 96 and 97 at right angles to each other and with a passage 98 extending from the interior of portion 3'! to the top of the cylindrical portion 95. Also similarly to the vaporizing unit, a tube 99 is provided which extends downwardly in the central cylindrical portion from a passage I00 communicating with a bore Illl extending to a flanged attaching end M2 on the horizontal portion 96. Importantly, however, it is to benoted that in the trap unit, while the free open end of the tube 99 is located downwardly an appreciable distance from the top of the upstanding cylindrical portion and hence is spaced downwardly from the terminus of the I I passage 98, it is located adjacent the top and fitted into the end of the-bore NH.

not the bottom of the container. Also, importantly it is to be noted that no passage is provided from the flanged end I02 of the portion to the interior of the portion 91 and no nozzle corresponding to the nozzle I9 is The needle valve control trigger, present in the vaporizing unit 44, is likewise omitted, and the bore It! at the end remote from the flanged attaching "end I02 is closed as by a plug I03.

In associating the suction trap unit 68 with the compressor unit, the hose '4'! from the compressor unit is connected to the portion 81 in the 48 is connected to the attaching flange 84 of the vaporizing unit.

When the apparatus above described is associated with a motor, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

with the hose 48 attached by a suitablefltting to and in communication with the intake 'mani- 'fold and with the hose-'50 attached by a suitable fitting to and in communication with the oil gallery, the method steps of initially building up pressure and then simultaneously forcing solvent in vaporized form into the intake manlfold and applying suction to the pressure 011-.

needle valve 80 in nozzle closing position, air under pressure is. forced through the hose l5, passage 82 and hose 48 into the intake manifold.

Then by merely pulling the trigger 8| the discharge nozzle 19 is opened and the solvent,

which has been placed in the container, is forced the solvent cleaning steps and that the drain plug is not replaced until after the solvent clean- 1 ing and oil plating steps have been completed.

out into the hose 48 in vaporized form and thence into the intake manifold. Simultaneously the suction head of the compressor unit draws through the hose 4! and through the passage 98 to build up a partial vacuum in the container of the suction trap and hence there is created a draw or'suction at the oil gallery through the tube 99, passage I and hose 50. Solvent, foreign material and trapped oil in the pressure V oil-distributing system is thus drawn through the hose 50 and directed down to the bottom of the container 92 by the tube 99. However, and of importance, because the free end of the tube 99 is spaced downwardly from the terminus of the suction passage 98 in the body structure of the cap 93 and directs the removed material to the bottom of the container, this removed material is trapped in the container and is not adversely sucked back to the compressor unit. Also. because the free or expelling end of the tube 99 is adjacent the top of the container, a substantial amount of material may be trapped without adversely closing the expelling end of the .tube.

,jIo carry outthe step of forcing vaporized solvent iflito the pressure oil-distributing system it merely is necessary to disconnect the hose 50 from the 'oil gallery, connect the hose 48 thereto instead, and-then operate the trigger 8| in the same manner as when injecting solvent into the intake manifold.

The step involving the application of suction to the top of the cylinders as through a connection to the respective tapped holes for the spark plugs is accomplished through attaching, as by a suitable fitting, the suction hose 50 to each of the spark plug holes in turn and operating the compressor unit. It is not necessary to disasseciate the pressure hose 48 from the oil gallery during the immediately foregoing operations.

Control of the suction during the foregoing operations may be readily achieved by regulating the control valve 61 on the suction head 43 of the compressor. Thus during the operation of applying suction to the pressure oil-distributing system during the forced injection of vaporized solvent into the intake manifold, it has been found that best results are obtained by regulattapped spark plug receiving holes, good results also have been obtained by regulating the control valve to a fully closed position.

The association of the apparatus with the engine for carrying out the air wash step may be the same as for the initial step of building up an initial air pressure in the intake manifold. And, the association of the apparatus with the engine and the operation of the apparatus for the oil plating steps are the same asfor the solvent in- .iection steps, -it being understood, of course, that This serves to prevent an adverse accumulation of oil and/or the products of the cleaning steps in the crankcase 'where this material might be picked up by the usual oil pump 31 and adversely circulated in the pressure oil-distributing system.

In the crankcase cleaning and flushing operation, air under pressure for agitating the flushing material may be obtained for the tube '39 by connecting the latter by some suitable and convenient means to the end of thehose 48 and then operating the compressor.

It is thus seen that the apparatus provided by the present invention is such that it is particularly adapted to be readily associated with the engine in carrying outthe several steps of the method.

Moreover, it will be readily appreciated that while the method and apparatus 'of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes in connection with an engineof the fourcycle type, the invention is likewise applicable to engines of the two-cycle type and other types, and to engines involving means other than a conventional carburetor for preparing and feeding the combustible charge, for example to engines of the Diesel type,

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A process for cleaning deposits of foreign material from an internal combustion engine, in-

a suitable plating oil is placed'in the container 99 instead of a cleaning solvent Of importance, it is to be noted-that the crankcase is drained prior to the beginning of cluding the steps of turning over the engine while cold through a cycle of operations by the utilization of an outside source of power; simultaneously injecting a cleaning material in vapor form into the intake manifold of said engine; and simultaneously applying suction to the pressure oil-distributing system of said engine through a connection with an outside source of suction.

2. A process for'cleaning deposits of foreign material from an internal combustion engine without dismantling the engine, including the steps of turning over the engine by the utilization of an outside source of power to cause movement of the pistons and related mechanisms through a cycle of operations; and simultaneously introducing a cleaning material in vapor form under the influence of outside pressure into the engine through the intake manifold of said engine.

3. A process for cleaning deposits of foreign material from an internal combustion engine without dismantling the engine, including. the steps ofturning over the engine through a cycle of operations by the utilization of an outside source of power; simultaneously introducing a cleaning material under the influence of outside pressureinto at least one cylinder in said engine; and simultaneously applying suction to the pressure oil-distributing'system of said englue to draw the pressure-introduced cleaning material through the cylinder.

4. Aprocess for cleaning deposits of foreign material from an internal combustion engine without dismantlingthe engine, including the steps of turning over the engine through a, cycle of operations-by theutilizationof an outside source of power: simultaneously injecting a cleaning solvent into the intake manifold of said engine; and subsequently injecting air under pressure into said intake manifold while turning the motor over through the utilization of an outside source of power.

5. A process for cleaning deposits of foreig material from an internal combustion engine and associated mechanisms without dismantling the engine, including the steps of turning over the engine through a cycle of operations by an outside power source; simultaneously injecting a cleaning solvent in vapor form into the intake manifold of said engine; and opening the throttle valve while injecting said cleaning solvent to permit the solvent to enter the carburetor passages.

6. A process for use in connection with the cleaning elements of an internal combustion engine without dismantling the same, including the steps of injecting under pressure into the intake manifold of the engine a cleaning solvent in vapor form; and opening the throttle waive to release the solvent under pressure into the carburetor passages.

7. A process for cleaning deposits of foreign material from an internal combustion engine without dismantling the engine, including the steps of turning over the engine while cold through a cycle of operations by an outside power source; and simultaneously injecting under pressure into the intake manifold of said engine a cleaning solvent in vapor form.

8. A process according to claim 7, including the step of injecting air under pressure into the intake manifold after the injection of the cleaning solvent and while the engine is being turned over slowly by an outside power source.

9. A process according to claim '7, including the subsequent step of applying suction to the working space of an engine cylinder on the working side of the piston therein while movement of the latter is stopped.

10. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a pressure oil-distributing system and an intake manifold, means for vaporlzing a cleaning solvent and expelling the same under pressure; conduit means connecting said vaporizing and expelling means to said intake manifold; suction creating means; and conduit means connecting said suction creating.

means to said pressure oil-distributing system. i

11. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a pressure oil-distributing system and an intake manifold, means for vaporizing a cleaning solvent and expelling the- ,unit having a pressure and a suction side; dispensing means-including a. container for a motor cleaning solvent, connected to said pressure side and having a solvent vaporizing and discharging means; conduit means connecting said dischargt6 ing means-and said intake manifold; and a trap for collecting material from said pressure 011- distributing system, connected to and intermediate the latter and the suction side of said compressor unit, said trap including a closed container having spaced openings respectively communicable with said suction side and said pressure oil-distributing system, said suction side opening being located above the other opening.

13. An apparatus for use in cleaning and conditioning an internal combustion engine unit, including a compressor unit having a suction head and a pressure head; a vaporizing and dispensing unit having a discharge head and having a control means for said discharge head; conduit means operatively connecting said pressure head to said vaporizing and dispensing unit; conduit means having an end operatively associated with said discharge head and an end for operative association with a part of said engine unit; a suction trap unit including a closed container and having a pair of passages communicable with the interior of said container; conduit means connected at one end to said suction head and at the other end to said suction trap to communicate with the interior of said container through one of 'said passages; and means connected to said suction trap to communicate with the interior of said container throughthe other of said passages, for operative association with a part of said engine unit. I

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 in which the conduit means associated with said discharge head includes a means having an enlarged chamber with an 'inlet associated with said discharge head and with an outlet for association with that part of the engine unit to which pressure and vapor are to be applied.

15. A process for reconditioning an engine having at least one cylinder with a piston therein and having a pressure oil-distributing system, including the steps of: turning the engine over by an outside power source while the engine is in. a cold condition and the crankcase is drained of oil, and simultaneously with the turning over of the engine forcing a solvent in vapor form into the working space of at least one engine cylinder on the working side of the piston therein and suction drawing through oil passages of the pressure oil-distributing system associated with operating parts of the engine. in a direction opposed to the usualforced passage of oil therein.

working side of the piston therein while movement of the latter is stopped.

l7. The process of cleaning the top cylinders of an internal combustion engine without dismantling the engine including the steps of turning said engine over by 'the utilization of an outside source of power to cause movement of the piston and related elements through a cycle of operations; simultaneously injecting a cleaning material in vapor form under the influence of outside pressure into the top of the cylinders to clean the deposits of foreign material therein, the cleaning material being forced and drawn along the pistons and around the rings to clean foreign material therefrom; and applying a suction to the top of the cylinders of the engine to withdraw the excess vapor therefrom and to drawthe rings back to proper position.

18. A process for cleaning deposits of foreign material from an internal combustion engine v having at least one oil line therein without dismantling the engine, including the steps of apapplying air pressure to said intake manifold to build up an initial pressure therein; applying a suction to the oil line prior to the turning over of the engine and the injection of thecleaning solvent into the intake manifold; turning over the engine by the utilization of an outside source or power to cause movement or the pistons and related mechanisms through a cycle of operations; and simultaneously with the turning over of the engine introducing a cleaning material in vapor form under the influence of outside pressure into the engine through the intake manifold of said engine.

JOHN E. VALLERIE. 

